10.5061/DRYAD.R7J2K42
Kelly, E. McKenna
Marcot, Jonathan D.
Selwood, Lynne
Sears, Karen E.
Data from: The development of integration in marsupial and placental limbs
Dryad
dataset
2020
Mus musculus
Trichosurus vulpecula
Monodelphis domestica
2020-02-08T00:00:00Z
2020-02-08T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/oby013
44726 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The morphological interdependence of traits, or their integration, is
commonly thought to influence their evolution. As such, study of
morphological integration and the factors responsible for its generation
form an important branch of the field of morphological evolution. However,
most research to date on post-cranial morphological integration has
focused on adult patterns of integration. This study investigates patterns
of correlation (i.e., morphological integration) among skeletal elements
of the fore- and hind limbs of developing marsupial and placental mammals.
The goals of this study are to establish how patterns of limb integration
vary over development in marsupials and placentals, and identify factors
that are likely responsible for their generation. Our results indicate
that although the overall pattern of correlation among limb elements is
consistent with adult integration throughout mammalian development,
correlations vary at the level of the individual element and stage. As a
result, the relative integration among fore- and hind limb elements varies
dynamically between stages during development in both marsupial and
placental mammals. Therefore, adult integration studies of the limbs may
not be indicative of developmental integration. Results are also
consistent with integration during early limb development being more
heavily influenced by genetic and developmental factors, and later by
function. Additionally, results are generally consistent with a constraint
on marsupial forelimb evolution caused by the functional requirements of
the crawl to the teat that operates by limiting morphological variation
before and at the time of birth, and not after.
Length_dataLength calculations from landmarks for all specimens.mckenna.csv